Ashwaubenon names Little Chute's Ryczkowski football coach

Former Little Chute coach Brian Ryczkowski, holding up a County N sign before talking to his team in 2016, has been hired at Ashwaubenon.(Photo: USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Brian Ryczkowski spent his high school football career trying to beat Ashwaubenon.

Now, the 2003 Bay Port graduate is joining the Jaguars.

Ashwaubenon announced Tuesday it has hired Ryczkowski as its football coach and a math teacher. He replaces Mark Jonas, who stepped down in November after 10 seasons.

Ryczkowski spent the past six seasons at Little Chute, leading the Mustangs to a 53-19 record and a WIAA playoff berth each year. It included a state runner-up finish in Division 4 in 2014.

“I am very excited to begin working with all the students at Ashwaubenon High School and leading the football program,” Ryczkowski said in a statement released by the school. “The tradition, pride and reputation of the Ashwaubenon football program and school is one I am honored to lead. I look forward to working with the outstanding students and athletes in Ashwaubenon.

“My wife (Jayne) and I would like to thank the administration for giving us the opportunity to be part of this great school and community.”

Little Chute won the North Eastern Conference title in 2018 and finished 12-1 overall, its only loss coming to Saint Croix Central in a semifinal playoff game.

The program won 10 or more games three times under Ryczkowski, who was an assistant coach at Big Foot before starting his tenure at Little Chute.

After his prep career with the Pirates, he was a backup quarterback for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

As a junior in 2006, he appeared in eight games for the Warhawks, completing 26 of 52 passes for 370 yards and two touchdowns. His team won the NCAA Division III national championship his senior year.

Ryczkowski will start his coaching duties immediately and his teaching job at Ashwaubenon in the fall.

He takes over a Jaguars team that went 5-5 in 2018, including 5-4 in the Fox River Classic Conference.

Ashwaubenon is losing some of its top players to graduation, including defensive back Riley Siudzinski, offensive lineman Kenneth Brooks, linebacker-tight end Cam Wheeler and punter Ashton Steinike.

But it also will return some notable talent, a list highlighted by junior Sam Nooyen. The 5-foot-11 wide receiver was a second-team all-conference choice this past season, catching 25 passes for 334 yards and one TD in league play. He also had two catches for a team-high 59 yards in an opening round playoff loss to Marshfield.

“I’m excited for Brian Ryczkowski to take over,” Ashwaubenon athletic director Nick Senger said. “He was among a highly qualified pool of candidates, and he quickly rose to the top. He is poised, charismatic and displays the leadership qualities we were looking for in the leader of the Ashwaubenon football program. He has an outstanding track record on the football field, but more importantly is an outstanding classroom teacher.

“He understands the role of interscholastic athletics and what it will take to stay and be competitive in the FRCC. Most importantly, he demonstrated to the committee the ability to take our young men and make them into outstanding individuals. He wants to see success and growth in each student-athlete he works with, on and off the field.”